A real test

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Nov 12, 2024
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I have long thought we need a real test of riflemanship, not the various games (NRA, Benchrest, PRS etc.). My idea would be a competition consisting of unknown distance targets over a variety of terrains. Each engagement would consist of not more than 2-shots with the 2nd shot scoring exactly half of he first. A 1st round hit (no rings) would be 100 points, the 2nd 50 points. No rangefinders, no wind meters.
I know this would not appeal to many if there is not a high round-count for the competition but I think it would really separate "the riflemen from the pretenders". They say you can teach a monkey to shoot a rifle.....
 

realunlucky

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Have you seen a monkey shoot?

Saying something and having it be true are two very different things

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
 

Geewhiz

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Why no rangefinders? Its not a "real" test if you cant use the tools that you really use. Nobody here would shoot at an animal at an unknown distance.
 

TaperPin

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I have long thought we need a real test of riflemanship, not the various games (NRA, Benchrest, PRS etc.). My idea would be a competition consisting of unknown distance targets over a variety of terrains. Each engagement would consist of not more than 2-shots with the 2nd shot scoring exactly half of he first. A 1st round hit (no rings) would be 100 points, the 2nd 50 points. No rangefinders, no wind meters.
I know this would not appeal to many if there is not a high round-count for the competition but I think it would really separate "the riflemen from the pretenders". They say you can teach a monkey to shoot a rifle.....
No rangefinder?! Crazy talk! Nobody can hit anything nowadays without a rangefinder. lol

Forcing an emphasis on first round hits?! Also crazy! Everyone hears they can f’up the first shot, spot the miss and the animal will just stand there while the second shot is made.

Don’t get too overboard, or this will actually start to represent real life hunting in 1980, or if the battery in their range finder craps out. :)
 

Beendare

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Archery has 3D shoots and those are a good way to test your skills with a bow...though even those aren't the same as the real thing.

Real animals don't stand there all day letting you squeeze off a shot. IMO, replicating the urgency to get a good shot off in the short window we typically get is key to effectiveness in the woods with either a bow or rifle.
 
OP
SchwarzStock
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Nov 12, 2024
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It is meant metaphorically. Many shooters never progress (skill wise) beyond shooting from a bench or perhaps prone, both using bags or bipods. If you think you are good try a 10rd rapid fire string like the NRA Standing to sitting or standing to prone events. I am not saying this is the ultimate test but it is a good way to self-assess your abilities to fire your rifle without crutches.
 

Wyo_hntr

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What should we call it? "Mines bigger" ? I say get rid of scopes too. Really seperate the "pretenders"
And smokeless powder, then it'd be like hunting in the 1880s, way better than the 1980s.

All these posers hunting with metallic cartridges and peep sights....losers

(This was sarcasm for all the boomers that think it was only better "in their day")
 

Tahoe1305

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NRL hunter is a good time. The one I did this year the targets for most were small and tough to find let alone range and hit.

The folks cleaning up those stages are marksmen IMO. The timer is a stressor to set up a semi stable position and get a shot off…especially on up to 4 targets.
 

TaperPin

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Lol
I’ve always thought the best test is a single shot on a 10” paper plate set up however you hunt - no follow up shot, no excuses, simply hit it or not. Go ahead kiddo, show gramps how well that new fangled rifle shoots. Kids tend to forget we’ve been serious about shooting at long ranges 40 years longer than they have. lol
 
OP
SchwarzStock
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I think a 10" plate is a good reference to the vitals zone of most big game and about 2 MOA at 500 yds. Combining rifle/cartridge capability with shooter factors (wind reading, temp correction, angles, light compensation, shooting position, sight alignment, trigger control) probably about the max distance for most and beyond it for many.
 

mtnbound

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I think a 10" plate is a good reference to the vitals zone of most big game and about 2 MOA at 500 yds. Combining rifle/cartridge capability with shooter factors (wind reading, temp correction, angles, light compensation, shooting position, sight alignment, trigger control) probably about the max distance for most and beyond it for many.

The Hunter drill on RS is very practical.
 
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